Boosting Women’s Basketball: Coverage Needs Growth, Internal Struggles Hinder Progress
In sports media, women’s basketball coverage still lags behind more mainstream sports. That’s true even as interest and audiences for women’s sports keep growing.
The recent game between No. 19 Ohio State and No. 4 UCLA made this gap obvious. Hardly anyone in the media paid attention to the matchup.
This lack of coverage frustrated coaches and writers. Many are now questioning how women’s sports get covered at all.
Land-Grant Holy Land explored the challenges facing sports journalists. They dug into the bigger issues that keep women’s basketball underrepresented in the media.
The Journey of a Dedicated Sports Writer
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Everyone who enters sports media has their own reasons. Some just want to follow their favorite teams; others hope to make a name for themselves or share their opinions.
Back in 2021, one writer started covering Ohio State women’s basketball. Their goal was to tell women’s sports stories right from their own backyard.
They began by covering the NWSL at the national level, all from Central Ohio. That work rekindled their love for basketball.
They didn’t have much specific insight into the team or women’s college basketball at first. Still, they followed the mantra: *If you want to try something, you should do it.*
Armed with their outlet’s name and a portfolio of soccer stories, they landed a credential to cover games in person. Four years and nearly 1,000 articles later, they’re still chasing the same goal—telling those stories.
Challenges in Coverage
Covering women’s basketball isn’t simple. College teams don’t stick to any standard media protocols, unlike leagues like the WNBA or NBA.
This lack of consistency makes it tough for journalists. Some arenas offer press access to both teams after games; others only open up the home team.
Over time, the writer earned Big Ten voting privileges and the trust of fans, coaches, and players. Still, media coverage remains uneven.
On a recent Sunday, the writer attended a top-20 matchup between Ohio State and UCLA. They’d looked forward to the game for weeks.
Even with the game’s significance, hardly any media showed up. Only three regular writers attended consistently.
The UCLA Perspective
UCLA head coach Cori Close didn’t hide her frustration about the lack of media coverage. In a virtual press conference after the game, she called out the absence of reporters.
She wasn’t blaming the few writers who did attend. Her concern was about the bigger issue—women’s basketball keeps getting overlooked.
Close pointed her frustration at local outlets and national sites alike. She wondered why so many publications ignore women’s basketball, even as its audience and financial impact grow.
The Writer’s Response
The writer understood Close’s frustration. Still, her comments stung a bit.
They cover women’s sports out of passion and commitment. The real issue, they argued, lies with editors who choose not to invest in covering women’s sports.
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They urged media outlets to rethink their priorities. Women’s basketball deserves more attention.
Despite everything, the writer keeps showing up. They often cover games at personal expense, motivated by love for the sport and a drive to share women athletes’ stories.
Systemic Issues in Sports Media
The lack of women’s basketball coverage isn’t some isolated problem. It’s part of larger issues in sports journalism.
Money, politics, and fierce competition all chip away at journalism. Attacking the few writers who do show up won’t fix anything.
Local and national outlets need to invest in women’s sports. That means more resources, more space for stories, and a real commitment to covering women’s sports as seriously as men’s.
Sports organizations like the Big Ten should push for more media attention beyond just football. If things don’t change, what are we even doing?
The Future of Women’s Sports Coverage
The audience for women’s sports has exploded in recent years. There’s real money on the table for anyone willing to cover these games.
Oddly enough, media coverage hasn’t really caught up with this growth. Outlets need to wake up and see the value here—they should be investing in women’s sports, not just talking about it.
When journalists share stories about women athletes, it does more than just fill space. It actually helps raise the profile of women’s sports and nudges the media world toward something fairer.
Coaches like Cori Close often voice their frustration with the system. Still, their passion—and the drive of those reporting on women’s sports—keeps the conversation alive, even when the odds aren’t great.
If you want to dig deeper into what sports journalists face and the bigger issues behind women’s sports coverage, check out the full article on Land-Grant Holy Land.